I keep hearing people say things to me about how amazed they are by how much I get done around here. I wish I had high speed so I could post pictures of how much we don't get done around here. There are many a day, which most people I know can relate to, where I lay great plans and then as hard as I try, I am sidetracked, waylaid (spelling?) or perhaps even the phone rings endlessly and I just don't get much done. I do not like attempting to get much else done but school during the week as that will ensure that school wouldn't happen. Anytime I think I can squeeze in some ironing or extra laundry then homework, piano practicing, math drill etc. just doesn't happen. My lawn mower hates me lately and even trying to get to giving the lawn a hair cut doesn't work as the dumb thing doesn't want to start or keep running for me if it does start. Prior to mowing the lawn I usually have wasted time looking for my scruds, making sure the little people are taken care of, everyone is busy and not killing each other, and then.........I go to the mower and rrrr.rrrrr......rrrrr........rrrrrrr.........nothing. So goes another day of accomplishments.
I am blessed with children who know how to can tomatoes though. That is a huge help as I am certain I would not get to that at all otherwise. There is nothing more exciting and perhaps therapeutic to them than to smash tomatoes down through the strainer and watching the auger has its way with them. The thrill is starting to wear off as we are nearing 50 quarts. They made at least 20 quarts today with a big vat of salsa to boot.
So.........I guess it is the kids who get a lot done and I spin my wheels between diaper changes, laundry reboots, and trying not steal a nap when my bed is calling to me. I do not get a lot done. I think I used to. I suppose I do still cook and stare at the miss-matched socks when the kids come downstairs barefoot for church complaining they don't have any.
Just bemused I am...........
The Word of Christ Brings You Home to His Body
2 weeks ago
6 comments:
I don't get much done either...it is making me crazy, the more kids I add, the more I seem to spin my wheels. Such is life this side of heaven, I suppose.
Yes. I think there is something about the more kids we have the less we get done. There's more to do though too especially in the little kid laundry department, clothes sorting, hoping they learn their abcs etc. Sigh. Try not to get discouraged and I will try too. I try to just 'do the next thing' and not go crazy with the long list behind that. Sigh. Hugs.
I want kids who know how to can tomatoes. :D
RE: "Do the next thing": Is that from the Large Family Logistics lady? Do you use her stuff? Does it help?
The kids love to eat what we grow and I used to do the canning and they 'helped' but as they got older they did more and more of it and I am the helper. Interesting.
"Do the next thing" came from a lady whose ministry actually makes me nutty and no I don't listen to it......anymore....since getting sick of the law, law, law......Elisabeth Elliot is the one who I heard that from. So, that is the most practical advice I got from her. I think my pastor says that too but perhaps he got that from me who got it from her.
Large Family Logistics lady?? Perhaps I should look at her stuff. Although I really think the key to not going completely insane is to plan your meals etc. and try not to have too many clothes in each kids closet. Less to organize and easier to manage. Now to try to put that into practice! Yikes......
Clothes are a big, big problem around here, and I only have four kids. I'm thinking we need to downsize: one outfit for play, one for church, one for sleep, and that's it, no more. But then, I'm pretty sure my mancub would be in tatters in less than a month. :D
LFL is here. I looked at her ideas a long time ago, but never really gave them a go. They were good ideas, but I'm one of those that needs to rediscover the wheel all on her own. ;D
I took a peek. I think we all need to learn most of this stuff on our own but I guess there is something to be said by living from example. I think that is why so many pine away for the old way of grandma's living near by who also raised large families and knew when to shut up and just lend a hand. This concept would also hold true for small families as well.
The only other quote that I ever found useful to apply was "lower your expectations." It is true. If I don't expect to get anything more than the next thing done then I am a lot happier than staring at a long list.
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